Take stock in a pot that can be used for cooking a variety of foods: stock, soup, stew, pasta sauce, braised meats, and more. Because a stockpot is so versatile, it's important to purchase one that will hold up for many years of use. Skip over the pots made of thin, flimsy materials, and purchase one that is heavy-duty and high-quality.

Types of Stockpots

Stockpot sizes typically range from 6 quarts to 12 quarts, but they are available in larger sizes for big-batch cooking. Because many foods cooked in a stockpot require long simmering, make sure to choose a material that will endure all heat levels. It's key to have the mixture at the bottom of the pot cook as evenly as the mixture at the top.

Stainless steel gives the classic look of a chef's kitchen. Although a stainless-steel pot is good, this type is even better if it has an encapsulated base with an aluminum disk to provide even heat distribution without hot spots. Many times the layers continue up the sides, allowing the foods to cook evenly from top to bottom.

Individual Cookware: ZWILLING Demeyere 5-Plus Stainless Steel 8-Qt. Stock Pot - Produced in Belgium, the Demeyere stock pot is con...structed of five layers with a stainless-steel interior that won't react with foods, three layers of fast-heating aluminum... read more

Produced in Belgium, Demeyere 5-Plus cookware is constructed of five layers: an 18/10 stainless-steel interior that won't react wi...th foods, three layers of fast-heating aluminum and a magnetic stainless-steel base that's compatible with induction... read more

Produced in Belgium, Demeyere 5-Plus cookware is constructed of five layers: an 18/10 stainless-steel interior that won't react wi...th foods, three layers of fast-heating aluminum and a magnetic stainless-steel base that's compatible with induction... read more

These colorful pots are made of heavy-gauge carbon steel with a hard-baked enamel coating. This combination contributes to even heat distribution and results in good cooking. These pots tend to be heavy, but they do have sturdy molded handles.

This cheerful blue stock pot from Le Creuset has a high-profile design that limits evaporation while forcing liquids to bubble thr...ough all layers of ingredients, infusing the entire dish with flavor while cooking. Prized for its utilitarian good looks, this classic French cookware assures unsurpassed heat retention, with a tight-fitting lid that creates an even "blanket" of heat and a stainless steel rim around the top edge to prevent chipping and cracking. Designed to function efficiently on a full range of heat sources including induction and ceramic, Le Creuset enameled cookware has been revered by professional chefs and home cooks since its 1925 debut.View all Le Creuset products • Carbon steel • Non-reactive porcelain enamel coating no seasoning required • Triple-welded side handles • Tight-fitting lid with stainless steel rim and heat-resistant phenolic knob • For use with all cooktops • Oven-safe to 375 degrees • Hand wash • Not dishwasher- or microwave-safe • Made in read more

Designed to function efficiently on a full range of heat sources including induction and ceramic, Le Creuset enameled cookware has... been revered by professional chefs and home cooks since its 1925 debut. The stock pot's high profile design limits evaporation while forcing liquids to bubble through all layers of ingredients, infusing the entire dish with flavor while cooking. Prized for its utilitarian good looks, this classic French cookware assures unsurpassed heat retention, with tight-fitting lids that create an even "blanket" of heat and a stainless steel rim around the top edge to prevent chipping and cracking. Also available in cherry.View all Le Creuset products Le Creusetr and other Wedding Registry offers • Carbon steel • Non-reactive porcelain enamel coating no seasoning required • Triple-welded side handles • Tight-fitting lid with stainless steel rim and heat-resistant phenolic knob • For use with all cooktops • Oven-safe to 375 degrees • Hand wash • Not read more

Revered by both professional chefs and home cooks since its 1925 debut, Le Creuset's classic French cookware is prized for its uti...litarian good looks and unsurpassed heat retention. Carbon steel stock pot is clad in smooth, vitrified porcelain here in our exclusive red, rendering each piece impervious to acid, alkali, odors and stains. Designed to function on all heat sources, old and new-from gas and electric stoves, to ceramic and glass cooktops, to induction and halogen, solid fuel and open fire. The design limits evaporation while forcing liquids to bubble through all layers of ingredients, infusing the entire dish with flavor. Tight-fitting lid with heat-resistant, stay-cool knob and signature triple ring design locks in flavor and moisture, with a stainless steel rim to prevent chipping and cracking. Stay-cool knobs are heat-resistant; side handles are triple-welded side for a secure grip. Non-reactive cooking surface does not require seasoning. Intended for water-based read more

Meet your boiling point. This attractive stockpot is the perfect place to whip up a batch of corn on the cob, steamed seafood or w...hatever else is on the menu. The tight-fitting lid keeps flavor &amp; heat locked in &amp; the enameled steel construction provides even &amp; consistent heating. read more

Coated with nonstick layers, these heavy-gauge hard-anodized aluminum pans are great conductors of heat. Not only will foods cook evenly, they will be less likely to stick. Newer nonstick surfaces are designed to last for years.

Winco has been a trusted and reliable brand in professional kitchens for over 20 years. Our commercial lines of products, ranging ...from tabletop to kitchen utensils to food preparation supplies, are used by all foodservice and hospitality industry experts worldwide. While our products are made to meet the high demands of a restaurant kitchen, we are excited to now make them available for the serious home chef. read more

Purchase Considerations

A heavy-duty, high-quality stockpot will provide years of cooking enjoyment. Because these pots can be cumbersome to store, you will most likely want just one. So when selecting, decide on a size that will provide flexibility in your cooking needs while easily feeding your crew.

The most common stockpot sizes range from 6 quarts to 12 quarts, but they come as large as 20 quarts before getting into commercial sizes. If you have room to store just one, choose an 8- to 12-quart size, and know that its best to err on the side of big rather than small -- especially if you have several mouths to feed.

Stockpots are ideal for cooking foods low and slow for several hours on the stove top, so the base of the pan needs to be heavy and a good conductor of heat. This is important so the heat is even across the bottom and transferred up the sides of the pot, cooking the food the same at the bottom as at the top.

Handles are typically positioned on opposite sides at the top of the pot. For safe handling, consider the durability of the handles and the space between the handles and pot for accommodating oven mitts or pot holders. Also make sure the handles are comfortable for lifting hot and heavy loads.

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Simmer your favorite soups and sauces to perfection in this Magnalite Cast Aluminum Stock Pot. The cast aluminum pot has an extra-...thick base for even heat distribution. The pot also features a heavy duty, vapor-tight domed lid to lock in the moisture,... read more